summary
Introduced
01/04/2017
01/04/2017
In Committee
01/13/2017
01/13/2017
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2018
12/31/2018
Introduced Session
115th Congress
Bill Summary
Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017 This bill amends part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSAct) regarding, among other matters: (1) mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services and in-home parenting skill-based programs, (2) foster care maintenance payments for children with parents in a licensed residential family-based treatment facility for substance abuse, and (3) payments for evidence-based kinship navigator programs. Part B of title IV (Child and Family Services) of the SSAct is amended regarding, among other matters: (1) time limits for family reunification services for children in foster care or returning home, (2) grants for the development of an electronic interstate case-processing system to expedite the interstate placement of children in foster care or guardianship or for adoption, and (3) targeted grants to increase the well-being of children affected by substance abuse. The bill appropriates certain funding to Department of Health and Human Services for FY2018 for competitive grants to states, Indian tribes, or tribal consortia to support the recruitment and retention of high-quality foster families. The bill amends part B of title IV of the SSAct to reauthorize through FY2021: (1) the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services Program, (2) promotion of safe and stable families program, (3) funding reservations for monthly caseworker visits and regional partnership grants, and (4) funding for state courts. Part E of title IV of the SSAct is amended to: (1) revise the John H. Chaffee Foster Care Independence Program and related provisions, and (2) reauthorize adoption and legal guardianship incentive programs through FY2021. The Government Accountability Office shall study the extent to which states comply with certain SSAct requirements relating to the effects of phasing out the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program income eligibility requirements for adoption assistance payments.
AI Summary
This bill, the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017, aims to enable states to use federal funds from parts B and E of Title IV of the Social Security Act to provide enhanced support to children and families and prevent foster care placements. Key provisions include:
- Allowing states to use federal funds for mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services, in-home parent skill-based programs, and kinship navigator services to prevent children from entering foster care or support pregnant/parenting youth in foster care.
- Eliminating time limits for family reunification services while a child is in foster care and permitting time-limited services when a child returns home.
- Providing grants to states to develop an electronic interstate case-processing system to expedite placement of children across state lines.
- Enhancing grants to improve the well-being of families affected by opioid and other substance abuse.
- Reauthorizing and extending funding for key child welfare programs like the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services Program and the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program.
- Making various improvements to the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program to better support youth transitioning out of foster care.
- Reauthorizing the adoption and legal guardianship incentive payment programs.
The bill aims to invest in prevention services, ensure appropriate placement settings for children in foster care, and continue support for key child and family services.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment
Sponsors (9)
Vern Buchanan (R)*,
Karen Bass (D),
David Cicilline (D),
Vicente Gonzalez (D),
Sander Levin (D),
Patrick Meehan (R),
Bobby Rush (D),
Terri Sewell (D),
Darren Soto (D),
Last Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources. (on 01/13/2017)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/253/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr253/BILLS-115hr253ih.pdf |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr253/BILLS-115hr253ih.pdf.pdf |
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